The Navagraha is an integral aspect of Hindu astronomy and falls under its purview. The nine planets’ positions and their impact on both the Earth and an individual are central topics in Hindu astronomy, which has its roots in the Vedic period. Hindu astrology holds that a person’s potential in life is determined by the placement of the planets at the time of birth.
Collectively, the nine planets are referred to as the Navagraha. Hindus worship these nine planets to remove all difficulties, obstacles, and bad fortune. Most temples have them, and devout worshippers pray to the Navagrahas before praying to any other god.
Seven of those nine planets—Rahu and Ketu—are named after actual planets in the solar system. The other two, Rahu and Ketu, are actually devils who tricked their way into this group. Depending on where they are in the solar system, they are either lucky or bad. Even though Navagraha can be found in any temple, some of them have their own special temples. The Navagraha temple, which is situated on the outskirts of Ujjain, is one such temple.
The Impact of Navagraha
The Navagrahas are the collective name for the nine planets. In Hinduism, they are worshipped to bring good luck or to get rid of problems, bad luck, or bad luck caused by past karma or birth defects (doshas). In most Hindu temples, they are all together on a panel or perched on a pedestal in a place where people can see them.
People usually try to make these gods happy before they pray to the main god in the temple’s holiest place. Seven of the nine gods, whose names are the same as the names of the Hindu week’s seven days, are named after planets in the solar system.
The last two deities are actually devils who, by means of deception, were able to enter the pantheon. Their names are either drawn from comets or from the two dark, potentially dangerous planets in our solar system (Neptune and Pluto). They are good or bad depending on where they are in the solar system and how they relate to the other gods.
Navagraha and its Important in Vedic astrology
Vedic astrology places a significant amount of emphasis on the nine planetary deities. Hindu astrologers create birth charts for people based on where they were when they were born. Depending on where they are in the astrological chart at the time, they have a positive or negative impact on people and their fates.
Shani, Rahu, and Ketu’s positions are given special consideration. Astrologers say that when the planets are in bad positions, you should do something to make them happy and lessen their effects.
Navagraha Temples
Navagraha temple is located on the banks of the river Kshipra in Ujjain, which is a well-known Saiva pilgrimage site in central India. Some temples were built just for the Navagrahas, who are worshiped as the main gods. The Navagrahas are often found in temples as minor gods.
Sometimes, temples are built for one of the Navagrahas, like the Surya and Sani temples, which can be found all over India. For example, close to Hindupur, there is a well-known Sani shrine that many followers go to. Examples seen throughout India For example, close to Hindupur, there is a well-known Sani shrine that many followers go to.
What do Navagrahas offer?
Vedic astrology recognizes nine planets. Nav (9), and Grahas are the names of the planets. Navgraha
- Sun (Soorya) (Soorya)
- Moon (Chandra) (Chandra)
- Mangla/Sevvai (Mars)
- Mercury (Budha) (Budha)
- Jupiter (Guru) (Guru)
- Venus (Sukra) (Sukra)
- Saturn (Shani) (Shani)
- Lower lunar node, Upper lunar node (Rahu) (Ketu)
Surya- Sun God
Surya is one of the Adityas and the main sun god. He is the son of Aditi and Kasyapa, two of Indra’s wives. He is also one of the Adityas. He has golden arms and hair. The seven horses pulling his chariot stand for the seven chakras. He rules over “Ravi-vaara,” or Sunday, in the role of “Ravi.”
In Hindu religious writings, Surya is often talked about as the everyday form of God. Also, Shaivites and Vaishnavas often see Surya as a part of Shiva and Vishnu, respectively. For instance, Vaishnavas refer to the sun as Surya Narayana. According to Shaivite theology, Surya is one of Shiva’s eight Astamurti forms.
He is thought to represent the soul, the king, high-ranking individuals, or fathers, and to be of the Sattva Guna.
Hindu texts say that Shani (Saturn), Yama (the God of Death), and Karna (from the Mahabharata) are some of Surya’s better-known children.
Chandra-Moon God
A lunar god is called Chandra. The moon, which is also called Soma, is linked to the Vedic moon god Soma. He is said to have two arms, to be young, handsome, and fair, and to hold a club and a lotus in each hand. Every night, the moon or an antelope serves as his chariot as he rides through the sky.
He is one of the fertility gods because of his connection to dew. Other names for him include Kshuparaka and Nishadipati (Nisha = night; Adipathi = Lord) (one who illuminates the night). He serves as the ruler of Somavaaram or Monday. He represents the mind, the queen, or the mother, and is of the Sattva Guna.
Mangala
In Sanskrit, Mangala is known as Bhauma, or “son of Bhumi” or “Bha.” He is celibate and the god of war. He is regarded as the child of the earth goddess Bhumi or Prithvi. He teaches esoteric sciences and has the signs of Aries and Scorpio (Ruchaka Mahapurusha Yoga). He is of the Tamas Guna and symbolizes energetic movement, self-assurance, and ego. He has four arms, is painted red or flame-colored, and carries a trident, club, lotus, and spear. Ram is his vahana (mount). He is in charge of “Mangala-vaara,” or Tuesday.
Buddha
Buddha is the god of Mercury and the offspring of Tara and Chandra (the moon) (Taraka). In addition, he guards businesspeople and is the god of goods. He represents communication and is of the Rajas Guna tribe.
He is shown as being gentle, articulate, and having a greenish hue. He is shown in the Ramghur temple riding a winged lion and holding a scimitar, a club, and a shield. In other pictures, he is shown riding an eagle, a carpet, or a chariot pulled by lions while holding a scepter and a lotus. “Budha-vaaram,” or Wednesday, is presided over by Buddha.
Guru-Brihaspati
Buddha is triloked, and his name is Brihaspati. Brihaspati is portrayed as the Purohita of the gods, with whom he intercedes on behalf of humans, and as the Guru of the Devas, personifying piety and religion. He is also the principal offerer of prayers and sacrifices. He controls Jupiter as its lord. He signifies knowledge and instruction and is of the Sattva Guna. He is frequently referred to as “Guru.”
He is the guru of the Devas, according to Hindu texts, and Shukracharya, the teacher of the Danavasa, is his enemy. He is also called Guru, which means “god of knowledge and eloquence.” Many works, such as the “atheistic” Barhaspatya sutras, are said to have been written by Guru. Guru is typically shown riding an elephant or chariot pulled by eight horses. He is pictured wearing a lotus flower as well.
His orientation is northeast, and his tattva, or element, is Akasha, or ether. He is described as having a golden or yellow color, holding a stick, a lotus, and some pearls. Thursday, Brihaspativaara, or “Guru-vaaram,” is presided over by him.
Venus or Shukra
Shukra is the name of the son of Bhrigu and Ushana, the preceptor of the Daityas and the guru of the Asuras, who is associated with the planet Venus. Shukra is Sanskrit meaning “clear, clean,” or “brightness, clearness” (Shukracharya). He is in charge of “Shukra-vaara,” or Friday. In nature, he is Rajas, the god of prosperity, pleasure, and procreation.
He has a white complexion, is in his middle years, and has a friendly demeanor. He is frequently depicted mounted, either on a horse, a camel, or a crocodile. He sometimes carries a bow and arrow in addition to a stick, beads, and a lotus.
Saturn or Shani
One of Hindu astrology’s nine main heavenly deities is named Shani (that is, in Vedic astrology). Saturn is a representation of Shani. The son of Surya is Shani. West is his direction, and the air is his tattva (or element). He is Tamas in nature and stands for perseverance, career success, and longevity.
The following is where the word “Shani” originates: Shanaye Kramati Sa or the person who moves slowly. Shani, the son of Surya, the Hindu Sun God, and Chhaya, Surya’s wife, is truly a demi-god. It is believed that when he first opened his eyes as a baby, the sun entered an eclipse, which amply illustrates Shani’s influence on astrological charts (the horoscope).
He is portrayed as being of a dark color, dressed in black, wielding a sword, arrows, and two daggers, and riding either a black crow or a raven. He is in charge of “Shani-var,” or Saturday.
Rahu
The ascending/northern lunar node is ruled by Rahu. Hindu tradition says that Rahu is the head of the snake demon that eats the sun or moon and causes eclipses. In art, he looks like a dragon with no head pulling a chariot pulled by eight black horses. He is a Tamas Asura that makes every effort to bring havoc into every aspect of someone’s life that he has authority over. The Rahu kala is viewed as unlucky.
Lod of Rahu the Ascending The asura Rahu allegedly swallowed part of the heavenly nectar during the Samudra Manthan. But Mohini, the female form of Vishnu, cut off his head before the nectar could reach his neck. The rest of the body became Ketu, but the head remained eternal and is known as Rahu. People say that this head never dies and sometimes eats the sun or moon, which causes eclipses. The eclipse is then finally over when the sun or moon passes through the constricted opening of the neck.
Ketu
The Lord of Descending is Ketu. He is referred to as the Demon Snake’s Tail. It is thought to have a huge cosmic effect on the lives of all human beings and on all creation. In some unique situations, it aids someone in reaching the pinnacle of fame. He signifies mystical forces and is Tamas in nature.
Even though Navagrahas can be found in any temple, some of them have their own special temples. One of these temples is the Navagraha temple, which is on the edge of the city of Ujjain.
The word “graha” in Sanskrit refers to the planets, which are celestial bodies different from Earth. The navagrahas, or seven days of the week, along with Rahu, which is thought of as a planet that connects two other planets, and Ketu, also known as a comet, make up India’s nine divinities.
Only two of the nine planets—Rahu and Ketu—are true gods. The other two are demons. The seven are frequently referred to as planets, while the two are compared to comets and other celestial bodies that have a shady impact on people’s fates.
The Planetary System
The seven days of the week each have a name taken from a planetary deity. Some of the deities found in the Navagrahas are truly Vedic gods, as can be inferred from their names. The idea of the Navagrahas most likely originated in later Vedic thought.
The early Upanishads make no reference to the Navagrahas. The body of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad talks about eight grahas and eight atigrahas, which are grasping deities (sense organs) and grasping deities that supervise grasping deities (sense objects), respectively. Incoming breath (prana), speech, tongue, eye, ear, mind, hands, and skin are the eight grahas that are referenced in the Upanishad.
Name, taste, color, ear, desire, touch, and apana (downward breath) are their supervising grasping deities. We’re not sure if the concept of grahas in the body changed after that. Even though they are called “planets,” the Navagrahas are not planets in the way we think of them today. They have a commensurate presence in the microcosm and are deities in the cosmic person. Their positions within the body and the world influence how things develop on both the universal and personal levels.
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